It made an impact because
The center of oil exploration and production in the nation
The reason is quite simple: because most Pacific Island nations are the most vulnerable countries with regards to global warming, and its subsequent rise of sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice sheets.
Indeed, many Pacific Island nations will simply disappear with global warming. They will be submerged by the rising waters of the Pacific Ocean and its inhabitant will become environmental refugees. Some nations have already purchased land in safer areas in order to settle it when their countries disappear. Because they will suffer the most tragic consequences of global warming they will need to have full knowledge of the phenomenon and how to fight it in order to pressure industrialized nations and polluters to revert to a green, sustainable economic system that prevents such outcome.
Furthermore, many Pacific Islanders have assimilated the worst aspects of Western consumerism and need to learn about green power generation, proper disposal of garbage and to recycle and reuse as many materials as possible.